Match of the Day celebrated its 25th anniversary and had to cope with the fact that, for the first time since its inception in 1964, it couldn't broadcast any League football. Instead, the team settled into the four year contract with the intention of breathing new life into the FA Cup. With the new contract came a totally revamped show.

Season 24 Episode 8 - 3rd January 1988: Everton v Nottingham Forest

The first live football coverage of the New Year features two of the clubs who have spent the first half of the season in pursuit of the Barclays League leaders. Air Date : 3rd-Jan-1988

Season 24 Episode 1 - 29th August 1987: Arsenal v Portsmouth

Shown unscheduled as part of "Sports Special" with Athletics and Boxing. Air Date : 29th-Aug-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 2 - 20th September 1987: Newcastle United v Liverpool

The first live Match of the Day of 1987 features two of the season's most talked-about teams. Air Date : 20th-Sep-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 3 - 17th October 1987: Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers

Billed as part of "Sports Special" with Snooker, Golf and Cricket (30min football). Air Date : 17th-Oct-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 4 - 1st November 1987: Liverpool v Everton

Of the 136 League derbies played between the giants of Merseyside, all of them in the First Division, Liverpool have won 48 to Everton's 47, with 41 games drawn. These clubs head the parade of champions, Liverpool having won the title 16 times and Everton taking their total to nine last season. Air Date : 1st-Nov-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 5 - 22nd November 1987: Derby County v Chelsea

BBC cameras are at the Baseball Ground to assess clubs of great tradition who were in the Second Division when they last met four seasons ago. Air Date : 22nd-Nov-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 6 - 13th December 1987: Coventry City v Arsenal

George Graham 's forecast, when he took over at Highbury last year, was that Arsenal could be genuine contenders for the league title within two seasons. The timing looks right. Last month's 14th successive win set a new Arsenal record. Coventry City did not need a trophy cabinet until they won the FA Cup last May, but all that Sky Blue excitement at Wembley has been hard to follow this season. Air Date : 13th-Dec-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 7 - 28th December 1987

As a breath of fresh air over the holiday, here's action highlights from two Barclays League First Division matches with analysis and interviews. Manchester United v Everton Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United Air Date : 28th-Dec-1987  Read More

Season 24 Episode 8 - 3rd January 1988: Everton v Nottingham Forest

The first live football coverage of the New Year features two of the clubs who have spent the first half of the season in pursuit of the Barclays League leaders. Air Date : 3rd-Jan-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 9 - 10th January 1988: FA Cup Third Round: Ipswich Town v Manchester United

The FA Cup, won six times by Manchester United, has gone to East Anglia just once - ten years ago, when Bobby Robson 's Ipswich shocked Arsenal at Wembley. Air Date : 10th-Jan-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 10 - 16th January 1988

Highlights of one of today's top Barclay's League matches, an action report from another, and a comprehensive round-up of the day's other soccer stories. Liverpool v Arsenal Aston Villa v Ipswich Town Air Date : 16th-Jan-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 11 - 24th January 1988: Arsenal v Manchester United

After establishing a club record of 14 straight wins in the first half of the season, Arsenal have momentarily gone off the boil. A draw against West Ham and victories over Charlton and Queens Park Rangers make up Manchester United's record in London this season. Past form at Highbury favours United and a close encounter. They have won there three times in the last four seasons, all by the odd goal, as was Arsenal's victory in the corresponding match last season. Air Date : 24th-Jan-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 12 - 30th January 1988: FA Cup Fourth Round

Action highlights from this afternoon's games, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Manchester United v Chelsea Port Vale v Tottenham Hotspur Leyton Orient v Nottingham Forest Air Date : 30th-Jan-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 13 - 21st February 1988: FA Cup Fifth Round: Everton v Liverpool

The FA Cup Fifth Round brings yet another mighty confrontation between the giants of Mersey side, with Everton attempting to reach the final for the fourth time in five seasons and Liverpool chasing a unique second double success in Championship and Cup. Air Date : 21st-Feb-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 14 - 28th February 1988: League Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg: Luton Town v Oxford United

Luton were barred from last season's Littlewoods Cup because of their ban on away fans. They had second thoughts for 1987-88 and now, after drawing the first leg of this semi-final 1-1 at Oxford, will fancy their chance of reaching only the second final in their history. Oxford surprised many when they won the Milk Cup two years ago, so they have the flavour of Wembley. They are also fighting for their First Division lives. Air Date : 28th-Feb-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 15 - 6th March 1988: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

The last live match from this season's Barclays League is the 102nd time these great north London rivals have disputed points in a series that began in 1909. Rival managers George Graham and Terry Venables are friends of long standing, but there will be no old pals' act on the field. There never has been, as the summary of results shows: 41 wins for Arsenal, 39 for Spurs, with 21 games drawn. Air Date : 6th-Mar-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 16 - 12th March 1988: FA Cup Sixth Round

Action highlights, analysis and interviews, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Arsenal v Nottingham Forest Wimbledon v Watford Luton Town v Portsmouth Air Date : 12th-Mar-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 17 - 4th April 1988

Action highlights from two matches in the Barclays League, at a crucial point of the season. Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest Liverpool v Manchester United Air Date : 4th-Apr-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 18 - 9th April 1988: FA Cup Semi-finals

Only one step away from Wembley, a journey never experienced before by First Division newcomers Wimbledon. This afternoon at White Hart Lane, they face Luton Town who will be trying to achieve a record fourth appearance there in one season. Meanwhile at Hillsborough, Liverpool, no strangers to Wembley themselves, will also be aiming for a record - to be the first club to achieve the League and FA Cup 'double' for the second time in history. Only Nottingham Forest can stop them, although knowing that Brian Clough has never been to the final in this competition either as a player or manager could provide his young side with the necessary motivation to do so. Air Date : 9th-Apr-1988  Read More

Season 24 Episode 19 - 14th May 1988: FA Cup Final: Wimbledon v Liverpool

Highlights of this afternoon's FA Cup Final from Wembley Stadium between Liverpool and Wimbledon. Jimmy Hill presents the best action, analyses the key moments and talks to the players and manager of the victorious side. Air Date : 14th-May-1988  Read More